Mourinho 'thinking only of final'

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is focused only on Wembley and not the future as he refused to dwell on Nemanja Matic's two-match suspension which rules the midfielder out of Sunday's Capital One Cup final with Tottenham.

The Serbia midfielder was banned for violent conduct after reacting furiously to a challenge by Burnley's Ashley Barnes in last Saturday's Premier League draw.

The automatic three-match ban was reduced to two in mitigation but the Blues announced they were "appalled" and "frustrated" by the decision not to absolve the midfielder.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, right, is not focussing on the loss of Nemanja Matic to suspension

Mourinho, who last weekend labelled Barnes' challenge "criminal", would not comment on Matic's Wembley absence.

"If I give you my views, it's bad for me," said Mourinho, speaking ahead of Sunday's final at Wembley.

"If I speak again about the Matic situation I will be in big trouble."

Mourinho has lamented a "clear campaign" against his side this season, but hopes he will not have further reason to complain in "a final we have to win" as he bids for a first trophy of his second spell.

He hopes Sunday's officials, led by referee Anthony Taylor, operate at their optimum.

"It's easy for me to say that I don't believe that anyone involved in this game doesn't want to make his best," Mourinho said.

"I believe all three teams will go with the same ambition to do very well and hopefully even the players that like to complicate things try to make the final a good final."

Mourinho believes the good relationship he has with Tottenham counterpart Mauricio Pochettino means fourth official Craig Pawson will have a quiet afternoon.

"Easy job for the fourth official, because in between both benches, for sure, peace," Mourinho said.

Pressed on "the players that like to complicate things," Mourinho said: "The players that dive looking for fouls, the players that dive looking for cards."

Mourinho has been outspoken in his criticism of Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen in recent times.

"You don't need me to say names, because you know exactly the same as I know," the Blues boss added.

Mourinho was speaking 10 years to the day since winning his first trophy as Chelsea boss, following a 3-2 defeat of Liverpool in the 2005 League Cup final.

Chelsea went on to win the championship for the first time in 50 years that season and this term are bidding for a first Premier League title in five years.

The Blues are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who on Sunday have an opportunity to cut the gap to two points with victory at Liverpool.

Mourinho, who is bidding for a third League Cup, says he is thinking only of Sunday's match.

"Since I arrived in July 2013 it's the first time I don't think about the future of this club," Mourinho added.

"I just think about the moment. I just think about this game. We have a final to win on Sunday and nothing else matters.

"I don't think it's because you win the cup final you win the league. I don't think because you lose the cup final you lose the league. I don't see connections."

Mourinho does believe Chelsea must forget the final as soon as it has happened, with a visit to West Ham in the Premier League following next Wednesday.

He added: "After that the Capital One Cup is over. If we go home with a cup and a medal, perfect, but no consequences.

"Monday is another day, Monday we have to train, Wednesday we have to play and no time even to think about consequences."

Chelsea beat Spurs 3-0 on December 3 at Stamford Bridge, but in the return fixture on New Year's Day lost 5-3 at White Hart Lane.

And the Blues lost to Tottenham in the 2008 final.

Asked if the fact the contest is a London derby gives it added significance, Mourinho said: "A final is a final. To be a London club for me doesn't add anything to the game."

Chelsea have had a full week's preparation, while Spurs exited the Europa League to Fiorentina on Thursday, with the Blues' on-loan forward Mohamed Salah on target.

Mourinho downplayed the impact of Spurs trip to Florence due to the number of changes in personnel he expects for Sunday and was disappointed with the European exit.

Chelsea have appealed to their supporters to behave following the appalling scenes on the Paris Metro.

"Chelsea is a big club and the supporters know how to enjoy moments like cup finals," Mourinho added.